By Jagat S. Rye
The creation of the Khalsa brotherhood by Guru Gobind Singh was a unique event in the annals of Mankind, because the ore extracted by Baba Nanak from the depths of communal disharmony and prejudice, social inequity and political tyranny, and smelted by the other Nanaks in the furnace of devotion, service, love and sacrifice, by keeping alive the flame of “name”, and the purest metal thus produced was utilized by the tenth guru to create a wonderful human alloy of saint soldiers. It was the beginning of a great social and spiritual revolution when the five “beloved” belonging to all castes and creeds became the nucleus of the Khalsa brotherhood and the difference between guru and his disciples was obliterated when the Guru humbly requested his creation to also baptize him with Khande DIPahul so that he may become a member of the “brotherhood of pious ones”.
To instill a Democratic spirit and to develop self-confidence, the Guru gave a higher status to the congregation of pious souls over himself and at critical Juncture in his career obeyed the decision of his followers.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 10, 1989
